BANGKOK, June 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Southeast Asian leaders gather in
Bangkok on Saturday eager to drive forward the world’s largest commercial
pact, with the trade war between the US and China muddying the outlook for
their export-led economies.
Squabbles in the flashpoint South China Sea, Myanmar’s treatment of
Rohingya Muslims and pollution in the seas will also likely get an airing at
the two-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
But trade will take centre stage with ASEAN leaders keen to hasten the
signing of a China-drafted commercial deal covering around half the world’s
population.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) includes all 10
ASEAN economies, plus India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
It is seen as a mechanism for China to draft the rules of Asian-Pacific
trade, following a US retreat from the region.
Shortly after his election, President Donald Trump pulled the US from the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) — which would have been the world’s largest
trade deal — slamming it as an American “job killer”.
While tit-for-tat tariffs between the world’s biggest two economies have
seen some manufacturers flee China to safer ASEAN hubs, economists say the
big picture for global growth is bleak.
“I think they (US and China) will come to their senses, they know (the
trade war) is damaging,” Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, told a Bangkok
business forum on Friday.
“I think if Trump loses the next election we might have a solution.”
With uncertainty abounding, ASEAN is keen to hammer out the RCEP trade
deal.
Talks are expected on Saturday when ASEAN foreign ministers and trade
representatives meet.
On Friday Thai junta-leader turned premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha vowed to help
“expedite” the signing of the deal this year during his nation’s chairmanship
of the regional bloc.
Progress has stuttered in recent months with India digging in over fears
cheap Chinese goods could flood its massive consumer market.
Australia and New Zealand have also raised concerns over a lack of labour
and environmental safeguards.
The meat of the negotiations is expected to be got into later in the year,
when trade envoys from all of the potential signatory countries assemble.
“China and ASEAN may wish for a speedy conclusion but the matter cannot be
decided by them alone,” said Tang Siew Mun, head of ASEAN studies at ISEAS
Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
ASEAN is often criticised as a soft forum where diplomatic niceties often
outweigh concrete action on pressing problems.
Malaysia’s Mahathir raised the prospect of a joust with Myanmar over the
Rohingya, the Muslim minority driven in massive numbers into Bangladesh by
waves of concussive violence.
“We hope something can be done to stop the oppression,” he said.
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi will attend the summit.
The bloc are set to agree a statement to “prevent and significantly reduce”
marine debris across the region, according to a draft text seen by AFP.